White Bear Lake Area Schools Bond Referendum Passes
Voters in the White Bear Lake Area School District approved a $326 million building bond request to address building needs across the district by a margin of 57.4% yes to 42.6% no (unofficial results: 8,536 yes votes, 6,336 no votes).
Election Results
Unofficial election results are posted on the White Bear Lake Area Schools Election Results page of the Secretary of State's website.
Building Our Future
Building Bond 2019 Referendum Information
On November 5, White Bear Lake Area School District residents will vote whether to provide funding for building needs across the district. If approved, the bond funding would provide space for our growing enrollment, improve school safety and security, address deferred maintenance needs and update classrooms for more flexible learning spaces.
Bond Referendum Public Meeting Presentation
Bond Referendum Public Meetings
Materials shared at the Bond Referendum Public Meetings that took place on Sept. 24, Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 can be found below:
Frequently Asked Questions
- See a video of Dr. K answering some FAQs
- How was the plan built?
- How will the plan be implemented?
- What is a summary of the plan?
- What was the timeline for the Facilities process?
- Where would students go to school during construction?
- Why is the bond so large?
- Is there anything in the plan that can wait?
- How has the district informed the community about the bond referendum?
- Can Hugo be its own district?
- Have any community organizations expressed support for the bond?
- Why didn’t the committee decide to stick with status quo?
- Is Open Enrollment the cause of the projected increased enrollment?
- When and where can I vote?
- How many years is the bond debt scheduled for?
- How will I benefit if I don’t have children in the district?
- Elementary-specific questions
- High School-specific questions
- Rumor vs. Reality
See a video of Dr. K answering some FAQs
How was the plan built?
How will the plan be implemented?
What is a summary of the plan?
What was the timeline for the Facilities process?
Where would students go to school during construction?
Why is the bond so large?
Is there anything in the plan that can wait?
How has the district informed the community about the bond referendum?
Can Hugo be its own district?
Have any community organizations expressed support for the bond?
Why didn’t the committee decide to stick with status quo?
Is Open Enrollment the cause of the projected increased enrollment?
When and where can I vote?
How many years is the bond debt scheduled for?
How will I benefit if I don’t have children in the district?
Elementary-specific questions
High School-specific questions
Rumor vs. Reality
Bond Referendum News
There are free summer meals available throughout the community for kids and teens who are 18 years old and younger. Learn more.
District leaders took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at Otter Lake Elementary to celebrate additions happening at the school. The project is part of the district-wide comprehensive facilities plan which was made possible through the community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum.
The White Bear Lake Area School District is pleased to announce that Dr. Martina Wagner has been chosen to serve as the district’s Director of Educational Equity and Achievement. She will begin her role with the district on July 1, 2022.
Vadnais Heights Elementary teacher Mae Haley was recently named the White Bear Lake Area Educators 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.
The district’s most recent 4-year graduation rate, released by MDE this week, tops the state’s graduation rate by almost eight percentage points, and WBLAHS - South Campus is in the top tier of high schools in the entire metro area.
At the March 28, 2022 School Board Work Session, the White Bear Lake Area School Board unanimously approved a Resolution Supporting Commitment to Equity and Inclusion.
Voting information
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 5, 2019.
Find Polling Place locations by precinct here.
See a Sample Ballot below.
Early Voting
Early voting begins in each of our district's three counties (Ramsey, Washington and Anoka) on September 20, 2019. Find details about Early Voting by county here.
Find absentee ballot applications by county below:
- Anoka County
- Ramsey County
- Washington County
Tax impact
If voters approve the referendum requests, the average homeowner ($275,000 home) would see a tax increase of about $23 per month.
The Residential Home Calculator link on this Property Tax Information Site from Ehlers, the district’s independent municipal advisor, was available determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question on your 2020 taxes.
See a detailed tax impact chart with various property values below.
Compared to neighboring school districts’ voter approved school debt taxes, if the bond referendum is approved, we would still be below the average of other area school districts ($275 per year on a $250,000 home compared to an average of $317 for our neighbors).
Tax Relief Measures
Various property tax relief measures exist for those below a certain household income threshold. Find Tax Refund Scenario information below.
Bond Referendum Materials
Facilities Planning Process
A comprehensive facilities review and planning process kicked off in the fall of 2018 and continued throughout the 2018-19 school year. Find the process documents here.
Contact us
- 651-407-7563, Superintendent's Office
- Bond2019@isd624.org